Finding My Way
"Growing up, I was not always understood, and I often made myself small to fly under the radar of someone else’s perception of me. But because of your example of courage and boldness, I get to leave this place finally being proud of all the parts that make me who I am." – Sunrise Iam Sanchez '26
Sunrise Iaim Sanchez '26 is graduating from HCC with honors and her associate degree in liberal arts and headed to Mount Holyoke College as a Francis Perkins Scholar. Among her many HCC activities, she was a student ambassador for SAMP and gave the following remarks during a May 14 HCC SUCCESS programs graduation celebration:
'My time at HCC has been made up of an array of experiences that blew open doors to both my personal and academic growth. I have been able to represent our school at different student leadership summits, like the Inaugural New England Hispanic Serving Institute Conference, hosted by Salem State University or the Biden School of Public Policy & Administration’s SNF Ithaca National Student Dialogue.
I have been able to participate in event planning and rolling out program initiatives, like El Centro’s first peer mentorship program, Promotores. I am graduating as a Pathways Scholar, a Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Scholar, a Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) member, and a National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) member.
I have spent the last semester working with SAMP as a student ambassador, served as the interim vice president of the Black Student Alliance club, and worked as a student program adviser for El Centro. Now, I also have the joy of announcing to you all that I have been accepted into Mount Holyoke College’s Francis Perkins Scholars program on a full scholarship.
This is not my first attempt at getting my degree, and I had no way to anticipate the ways in which I would surpass the initial expectations I had for myself. I have reached the first of many peaks, and it is important for me to emphasize to you all that I did not do this on my own. There are a host of talented, gracious, loving, brilliant people who have helped me find my way here:
First, I want to thank my mother, Antonia Torres-Sanchez, and my father, Miguel Sanchez-Colon, for their enduring love for me and each other. There have been seasons of my life that I felt I had truly lost myself, and it has always been under the shelter of your wings that I find my heart again.
I want to thank my first adviser, Crysta Ascolillo, and my last adviser, Camille Close; and Aida Medianero, who taught me to believe in my thinking; and Rand Foerster, who activated in me the power to voice my story; Mark Clinton, Raúl Gutierrez, Mónica Torregrosa, Julissa Colón, Vanessa Martinez, Irma Medina, Kaydance Scotto, Sean Mangan, Heather Reul, and Rebecca Townsend; Carol-Ann Smalley at OSDSS, my learning coach, Nancy Nelkin, and my CHD counselor, Sarah Dester.
Thank you for nourishing me with your wisdom and showing me that I am worth a damn – you are the elders of my dreams, and without you I don’t think I could have realized who exactly it is I am working to mature into – the way I choose to mold that person will absolutely and positively be inspired by each one of you.
And to my peers, my friends: whether we met through SAMP, ALANA, TRIO, El Centro, or BSA; in class, or in the halls, please understand the uniqueness of my love for you. Your individual strength and brilliance make you so radiant, and growing alongside you has taught me to see that there is greatness and beauty in myself.
In a landscape that has historically looked down on communities and cultures of color, you have taught me to be proud of my Afro-Indigenous heritage. Witnessing your resolve and determination to self-actualize has catalyzed my own ambition and willpower. Growing up, I was not always understood, and I often made myself small to fly under the radar of someone else’s perception of me. But because of your example of courage and boldness, I get to leave this place finally being proud of all the parts that make me who I am:
I am proud to be Borinken. I am proud to be Black. I am proud to be Queer, and neurodivergent; I am proud of to have been born in Holyoke, and I am so proud to become a member of the Holyoke Community College alumni.
To you all, I would like to say that I believe we will go on to do greater work than this. In the face of all that we have overcome to make it here, how much more are we capable of achieving? Today, I ask you to continue believing in your future and the future of your community. The unique qualities of your lived experiences are part of informing forward progress and positive change. Believe in your art, believe in your research, believe in your thinking, and believe in the power of your story. You will go on to something much greater than this.
Thank you!"
PHOTOS: Sunrise Iaim Sanchez '26
